Introduction:

Controlling fire has been one of the most important discoveries in human history. We can understand fire even better when we look at the molecules involved in the chemical reaction we call fire.

Activity:

• Use the simulation on the left to zoom into a single water molecule, and then use the link on the right and zoom in until you get to the scale where a water molecule would fit in the screen.
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• Complete the activities described by your teacher to understand some of the properties of organic molecules (molecules made with carbon).
  • Make as many things as you can using only yellow hydrogen atoms.
  • Make as many things as you can using only red oxygen atoms.
  • Make something interesting using only the black carbon atoms.
  • Make something as simple as possible using only yellow hydrogen atoms and red oxygen atoms.
  • How many complete molecules can you make using only hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon.

Conclusion:

Carbon bonds to other atoms in particular ways. Can you describe what makes a collection of atoms a real molecule?

Practice:

Enrichment: